My Oath

Word
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? —Psalm 15:1

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...[he] who keeps his oath even when it hurts — Psalm 15:4

Observation
The question is basically, "Who gets to live with God?" There are several answer/statements within this scripture, but verse four I found particularly interesting. You get to dwell with the Lord if you're the kind of person that keeps to your word even if it causes pain. Saying it is apparently not enough; it's the doing, the sticking to it that matters.

Revelation
The obvious is that if I say I'm going to do something, be somewhere, etc., then I should not break my commitment even to the extent that it will hurt me. I am SO guilty of this personally. I've made appointments and then I either wanted to do something else, or just got distracted and forgot. I suppose not getting to do what I want is *sort of* painful, but what about things that really hurt? Say I'm supposed to speak to the youth group. I've given my word that I'll do it, but at the last moment my head starts to hurt and I feel achy. Should I be excused from my obligation? According to this scripture the answer is a clear 'no'.

I also, however, believe in grace, and that certain situations arise and that sometimes it's impossible to make an appointment or keep to a word. Maybe I said I'd head up the men's breakfast, but my wife goes into labor that morning. I'm going to go to the hospital and be with my wife, and hope and pray my brothers will have grace and mercy on me.

But, in Matthew 5:37 Jesus said "...let your 'yes' be your 'yes' and your 'no', 'no'." I believe it's two fold what happens when we adhere to this: 1) we get to dwell with the Lord, and 2) we reinforce our testimony before men and strengthen our integrity. I don't think I just get respect, but I earn it. How can this be accomplished if I'm constantly making oaths and breaking them? Can't happen

This also makes me think of Christ and how he made a promise to save us from our sins. He kept His oath, as painful and agonizing at it was, even up to death. He never wavered, but followed through. I hope that when the day comes and my oath I've made to the Lord is on the table I will keep it even in the midst of my pain.

Devotion
Lord, make me a man of honor and integrity. I want to dwell with you on your holy hill. May I be like you and keep my word even when it hurts. Amen.